SC slammed Goa government, not Tejpal’s lawyer- TOI misreporting

During the trial of Tarun Tejpal for alleged rape, SC had on Friday criticized the counsel for Goa govt and not the advocate representing former Tehelka journalist as reported by TOI on Friday. (File photo)

During the hearing in the case concerning the trial of Tarun Tejpal for alleged rape, the Supreme Court had on Friday criticized the counsel for Goa government rather than the advocate representing the former Tehelka journalist as reported by TOI.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu, had taken exception to the counsel for Goa objecting to the court Registry not informing the parties while scheduling the hearing.

TOI on Friday erroneously reported that that court was unhappy with the lawyer of the journalist. Tejpal’s lawyer did not appear before the bench when it took up the matter. The error is regretted.

The bench dismissed the objections raised by the counsel for Goa government after going through documents which showed that the hearing had been scheduled because the Additional Sessions Judge of Goa, who is trying Tejpal, had sought more time to complete the trial.

An annoyed bench told counsel for Goa government that he had made wrong accusations against the court. The court also told the Goa counsel that he should respect institutions, leading him to offer apology for raising objections.

The bench granted one year’s time to the Goa court to conclude the trial.

A bench of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra, after going through an office report sent by additional sessions judge of Goa, slammed Tejpal for making accusations against the court.

“You are making accusations against the court. We feel strongly about it. You should respect the institution,” the bench said.

Unaware about the contents of the report, Tejpal’s counsel, however, apologized to the court.

“Apology is not a magic word for everything. You should not have made allegations. It’s not right,” the bench said. The court granted one-year time to the trial court to complete the proceedings against Tejpal.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013 for sexually assaulting a female colleague at a Goa hotel. He was granted interim bail on May 19 last year to attend the cremation of his mother. He was granted regular bail on July 2 last year.

He has been chargesheeted for raping, sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague during an event at a Goa hotel.

The Supreme Court on Friday gave one more year time to the Goa judge holding trial of Tehelka’s founding editor Tarun Tejpal for allegedly sexual assaulting his junior woman colleague in a five star hotel in Goa in November 2013. A bench of Chief Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra granted one more year time on a letter from the trial court judge – district judge 2 and additional sessions judge, Mapusa – seeking extension of time. While granting bail to Tejpal July 1, 2014, the apex court had directed the lower court to complete the trial in eight month time and asked Tejpal to remain present on all days and not seek unnecessary adjournments. “Speedy trial is must. With 153 witnesses speedy trial is difficult. It will take three years,” said the court while rejecting Goa’s opposition to the grant of bail to Tejpal.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-slams-Tejpal-for-his-conduct-in-trial-court/articleshow/47304088.cms